monsoon

The suspense is finally over as the Monsoons arrive on time and the country heaves a collective sigh of relief.

Such is our dependence on the annual rainfall that any shortfall has far reaching consequences on agriculture, trade and life in general.

However, the rains also bring with them their own set of challenges, especially to parents who have to get their children ready for school. And then there are other issues to take care of too as rains put normal life out of gear. Today we will take a look at 5 important things to pay attention to during the rains.

Summers appear to be getting harsher with every passing year, and this year was no exception, with mercury touching high 40s in most parts of the country. But mercifully, the relief from the relentless heat seems to be around the corner.

The southern part of the country has already experienced pre-monsoon showers, bringing the temperatures down. Finally, the famed Indian Summer is giving way to the famous Indian Monsoons.

The Monsoons this year are expected to be normal by Met Department and one hopes it comes true. We just cannot afford one more deficient monsoons after successive years of scanty rainfall.

The Monsoons, while providing the much needed relief from the physical discomforts and ailments associated with the summer, bring their own set of problems. Commuting to work, attending school, and even shopping assumes additional levels of difficulty, with waterlogging, falling tree branches and chaotic vehicular traffic, adding to our woes.

During the monsoons, our health can be adversely affected if we are not careful. But rains can be good fun too, if you take a few precautionary measures:

Indigestion: Eat moderately and stick to fruits and vegetables. But make sure you wash them thoroughly as they are apt to be a little less cleaner during the rains. Boiled vegetables are a safe bet as they are high on nutrition and germs-free.

Dehydration: Contrary to the general belief, on can get dehydrated during the rains, causing indigestion. Encourage your children to carry a water bottle at all times to stay hydrated and to make sure they are protected against water-borne diseases.

Food contamination: This is probably the number one reason for illness during the monsoons. Advise your children to avoid eating at roadside eateries and always stick to the nutritious and hygienically prepared homemade food prepared by you.

Mosquito control: Make sure there are no breeding space for mosquitoes. Malaria, Chikungunya and Dengue are not only dangerous but also have a long recovery period. Make sure there is no stagnant water around your homes and schools.

Avoid puddles: Children and adults alike cannot resist the temptation to step and splash into a puddle. Not a good idea as the stagnant water may be home to insect and worm larvae and can enter our body through cuts and bruises on our legs.

Finally, get the children to wash their hands and feet thoroughly after a visit outdoors. If they get soaked in the rain, get them to change into warm and dry clothes.

In addition, also make sure your children are watch out for fallen live power transmission lines, overflowing stormwater drains and falling tree branches. They also need to be told to be extra careful while getting on and off school bus or other modes of transport.

Now that we have taken all the necessary precautions, let’s welcome and enjoy the Monsoons!